Forbidden Love 💙

Chapter 22

Tommy decided not to bring up Chris again over the next few weeks. He knew Chris's birthday was coming up, having been invited. Chris had asked him to try and convince Charlotte to come too. He watched Charlotte come into the kitchen before work wearing her bracelet. He knew she was close to giving in. "Are you playing at the bar tonight?"

Charlotte looked at her friend as he handed her coffee, "I think so, why?" She had found a bar downtown that did open mic night. She went occasionally to play piano or guitar and sing. Tommy came sometimes in support.

"I might be free later. I was just wondering." He smiled at her, "ready to go?"

Charlotte watched her friend. She knew he was up to something, but wasn't sure what. "Yeah. Sure."

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Charlotte was walking through the courthouse mid morning when she turned a corner, running into seemingly a wall of a man. She dropped her papers, bending down to pick them up as she felt the man bend down to help her, "I'm so sorry. I was just wandering around."

She looked up and smiled, "oh my god. Pablo Schreiber." She stood up, holding out her hand, "I'm a big fan of American Gods." She blushed as he smiled down at her, "I never realized how tall you were."

He laughed, "yeah. I'm here filming. I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Thanks for helping me. You're filming?" Suddenly it clicked as she heard his voice behind them.

Chris saw Pablo talking to a woman, "Pablo. They need you." He approached them, smiling, "Charlotte. Hi!" He looked down, noticing she was wearing his bracelet. He leaned in, kissing her on the cheek. "It's good to see you."

Charlotte half smiled at Chris, "I should really get back to work." She smiled up at Pablo, "it was really nice meeting you." She turned back to Chris, her heart racing. She had missed him so much, "nice seeing you Chris." She turned and walked away before letting Chris say anything else.

"You know her?"

Chris looked at his cast mate, "ex-girlfriend sort of. Working on trying to get her back."

Pablo patted him on the shoulder, "good luck. She's gorgeous."

Chris received a text from Tommy with an address, telling him to meet him there later. He hesitated over Charlotte's name before choosing her, sending her a message.

<I miss you Charlie. I love you.>

Charlotte felt her phone vibrate as she reached her office, sitting at her desk. She looked to see a message from Chris. She sighed as she read it. He still made her heart skip a beat. She stared at her phone, at the message for a few minutes before finally deciding to message him back.

<I miss you too Chris.>

Chris felt his phone vibrate as he went to put it in his trailer, he opened it to see Charlotte had replied. His heart began to race as he read her words. He was breaking through. He smiled, setting his phone down. He didn't want to push it. Slow and steady was good enough for him.

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Chris met Tommy outside the address to the bar. "Hey. You didn't have to be so cryptic if you wanted to get a drink."

Tommy laughed, "well. It isn't just that. Come on. Charlotte is going to kill me. I really hope you appreciate this."

Chris looked at him confused but followed him into the bar. He grabbed a drink with Tommy as he heard someone get on stage, announcing Charlotte. He looked at Tommy who just smiled at him. Chris looked up to see her sit at the piano on the stage. He had no idea she played the piano as well as the guitar. She was dressed far more relaxed than when he had seen her earlier. She had her hair down, wearing the green dress he saw her wear when she went out with Sebastian. He hoped she didn't notice him as she started to play.

Charlotte sat at the piano, letting out a long sigh before playing. It still made her nervous being in front of people, but she enjoyed having the outlet.

Something always brings me back to you
It never takes too long
No matter what I say or do
I'll still feel you here 'till the moment I'm gone
You hold me without touch
You keep me without chains
I never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love
And not feel your reign
Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am, and I stand
So tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me
Oh, you loved me 'cause I'm fragile
When I thought that I was strong
But you touch me for a little while
And all my fragile strength is gone
Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am, and I stand
So tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me
I live here on my knees as I try to make you see
That you're everything I think I need here on the ground
But you're neither friend nor foe though I can't seem to let you go
The one thing that I still know is that you're keeping me down
You're keeping me down, eh ooh
You're on to me, on to me, and all over

She looked out over the audience, locking eyes with Chris as she finished the song.

Something always brings me back to you
It never takes too long

Charlotte smiled politely and nodded as people clapped as she finished. She left the stage and made her way to Tommy and Chris, "I'm not sure I like you guys being friends."

Tommy laughed, "I'm sorry." He went to say something else but saw the daggers from her eyes, making him back off, leaving her alone with Chris.

"Let me guess, Tommy invited you?" She crossed her arms in front of her. It was the only sort of self control she had. She wanted to reach out and kiss him, but she refrained; barely.

Chris grinned at her, "he did. Don't be so hard on him. I didn't know you could play Charlotte. It was beautiful." He looked her up and down, "you look beautiful. Can I buy you a drink?"

Charlotte hesitated, lowering her arms as she watched him check her out, "I don't know if I'm ready for that."

Chris grabbed her hand, holding it up, "you're wearing the bracelet."

She blushed, pulling her hand away from him. She looked away, "I told you, I miss you."

He brought his hand to her hair, gently tucking some behind her ear, making her look at him, "I miss you too. Come to my party next week."

Charlotte bit her lip, looking at him as he touched her face. His touch still felt like fire, warming her from the inside out. "I'll think about it, okay?"

Chris nodded, lowering his hand, "fair enough. I love you Charlotte." He wanted so desperately to grab her and kiss her, but he didn't want to scare her away; she was finally talking to him.

"I know you do Chris." Against her better judgement she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug as he reciprocated with his arms around her waist, holding her body firmly to his. She pulled away, kissing him on the cheek, "I'll think about your party. Goodnight Chris." She looked at him one more time before finding Tommy, "take me home you jerk."

Tommy laughed, "yes ma'am." He turned back to Chris, winking at him before following Charlotte out of the bar.

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Charlotte laid in bed, staring at the ceiling when she heard her phone vibrate. She looked to see a message from Chris.

<I miss your lips on mine.>

She sighed, staring at the message.

<Then you should have kissed me.>

She knew she was back to treading dangerous waters with Chris. She wasn't sure if she was ready to fall again, but he made it so easy.

Chris let out a small moan as he read her message. He hadn't expected her to respond at all, let alone how she did.

<I will . At my party next week.>

Charlotte laughed at his confidence. She had missed the flirty texts.

<I look forward to it.>

Chris smiled at her response. He was in. He would have to remember to thank Tommy for helping him.